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Havanese vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

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The bottom line

Havanese vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

You’re not actually comparing a Havanese to a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon because you want two dogs. You’re comparing them because you’re torn between two kinds of love. One is the constant companion who lives in your pocket and your lap. The other is the rugged partner who wants to hike, hunt, or just burn energy in the backyard until everyone’s exhausted. The Havanese is a tiny tornado of charm. At under 13 pounds, this dog was made to survive in small apartments and big hearts. It’s goofy, affectionate, and sticks to you like Velcro. If you work from home or retire and want a little shadow that laughs at your jokes and tolerates your kids, this is your dog. But leave it alone eight hours a day? Don’t. It’ll bark, it’ll stress, it’ll unravel. And that silky coat? High-maintenance. Daily brushing isn’t optional. The Griffon is a different beast entirely. Think 50 to 70 pounds of wiry, enthusiastic muscle built for swamps, fields, and long days outdoors. It’s not just friendly. It’s driven. Needs real work, real space, real activity. A backyard isn’t enough. This dog wants purpose. While it adores kids and is deeply loyal, it’s not a couch ornament. It’s a working dog with a soft heart. The real insight? Both are affectionate and smart, but one wants to be with you, the other wants to do with you. Pick the Havanese if your life is inside. Pick the Griffon if your life spills into the woods, the lake, or the trail. One fits in a tote bag. The other belongs in a truck bed.

Havanese
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
8.5–11.5 in
Height
20–24 in
7–13 lb
Weight
35–70 lb
14–16 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.5–4.0k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#24
AKC popularity
#65

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Havanese Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Other Dogs
Havanese is better with other dogs (2-point difference)
Havanese
Drooling Level
Havanese drools less (2-point difference)
Havanese
Energy Level
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has more energy (2-point difference)
Wirehaired
Mental Stimulation Needs
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon needs more mental stimulation (2-point difference)
Wirehaired
Shedding Level
Havanese sheds less (1-point difference)
Havanese
The verdict

Choose the Havanese if…

  • Apartment dwellers
  • Seniors
  • Families with children
  • You value good with other dogsHavanese scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon if…

  • Hunters and bird dog enthusiasts
  • Active families with outdoor lifestyles
  • Those wanting a versatile gun dog
  • You value drooling levelWirehaired Pointing Griffon scores higher here.
Havanese Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Havanese home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

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